Knowing when to replace your furnace gas valve is an essential part of keeping your home comfortable, protected and cost-effective. The gas valve is an often overlooked part of your heating system—however, without it, your furnace simply won’t work.

In this blog, Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC will share the key signs of a malfunctioning gas valve. Whether you’re troubleshooting a potential problem or just want more information about how a furnace works, this guide for Ellsworth, Wisconsin, homeowners will help you recognize the need for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to contact the professionals at Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC.

What is a Furnace Gas Valve and What Does It Do?

To begin, it's important to know what a furnace gas valve is and what it does. The furnace gas valve regulates the flow of natural gas or propane into the unit's burner assembly, enabling the combustion process to occur and make heat. If gas isn't flowing, a gas-powered furnace can't make any heat.

Also an important safety feature, the furnace gas valve is supposed to cut off gas flow in the event of a mechanical issue—preventing a potentially dangerous gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. While replacement price can change based on the type of furnace and if any other service is required, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of roughly $300–800.

Your Furnace Won't Ignite

One of the signs you may need to replace your furnace gas valve is if the furnace is not igniting or if the pilot light won't light. Gas is the energy source for combustion. Without adequate gas flow through the system, a furnace won’t start up. Sometimes, homeowners also notice that the igniter clicks but there's no flame.

However, a furnace not igniting or a pilot light that won't light or stay lit might also indicate  other mechanical breakdowns, such as a faulty flame sensor, a malfunction in the thermocouple or a pressure drop in the gas line. If you experience these problems, it's important to reach out to a certified HVAC technician for an inspection. They'll safely determine whether the problem a thermocouple vs gas valve issue, or if there's another reason your furnace won't light.

Gas Leak

One major sign of a broken furnace gas valve is a gas smell in your home. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance concern—it’s an potentially deadly hazard. A gas leak can cause a fire, explosion or even CO poisoning. If you smell gas, leave the home right away, call your gas company or 911, and then reach out to Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC for emergency furnace repair.

Your Furnace Keeps Starting and Stopping

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling describes when a furnace runs in short bursts instead of going through its full cycle. This is because a faulty furnace gas valve can produce inconsistent gas flow. A valve malfunction also could cause your furnace to shut down to prevent causing a gas leak.

At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling is caused by other mechanical issues, so it's important to reach out to a qualified heating expert for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

What to Do When Your Furnace Gas Valve Isn't Working?

If you suspect your furnace gas valve isn’t working properly, it’s critical to take the situation seriously.

First, turn off the gas supply to stop the flow of gas, then turn off your furnace. Don’t try to repair the valve on your own. DIY gas valve repair can result in dangerous situations if done incorrectly and also may void your warranty and gas valve coverage. Whether the gas valve is stuck open, closed or malfunctioning in some other way—gas valve repair isn’t a task for someone without specialized tools and training. Besides, when it comes to deciding between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's almost always recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing the broken one. 

Call Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Ellsworth, Wisconsin, Chill

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Ellsworth, Wisconsin, HVAC company—Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC. Our trained technicians know just what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll diagnose the issue, perform the gas valve replacement safely and ensure your heating equipment is running at peak performance. To save even more power, we can even match your system with one of our smart thermostats or provide furnace installation service to help you replace your outdated heating system.

Don’t compromise your safety or comfort. Call 715-603-4483 today for gas valve replacement services from Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC.